Today we’d like to introduce you to David Moskowitz.
Hi David, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
My first foray into show biz: Age 11, being a contestant on “Wonderama,” a Sunday morning popular kids’ game show hosted by the very affable and ebullient Bob McAllister, syndicated on Metromedia-owned TV stations (WNEW Ch. 5 in NYC).
My mother, Myrna, was a nurse for the show and got me on a glorious six times! (“Wonderama” was taped at NBC studios in the historic 30 Rockefeller Plaza, NYC).
My bio: Once upon a time in the sunny streets of Glendale, there lived a man who could make both Hollywood and Broadway envious of his life script – David “Mosky” Moskowitz. Born on a Christmas morning in Brooklyn, this charismatic Glendale resident has worn more hats than a magician at a hat store.
From gracing the screen as Santa Claus in “Guardians of The Galaxy: Holiday Special” to being the muse for Chris Rock’s BFF character on “Everybody Hates Chris,” David’s life is a real blockbuster.
A USC film school graduate, radio show extraordinaire, and a Santa who moonwalks – he’s the walking definition of a Renaissance man.
When he’s not charming audiences on screen or teaching acting, you might catch him on a quest to find the perfect slice of pizza and burger in Los Angeles.
A man of many talents, David is also a guitar virtuoso, leg presses over 1,300 lbs., and can do the moonwalk – a skill he mastered in just a year.
With a pet peeve for drunks, and a love for Star Wars and Star Trek, David’s life is as eclectic and entertaining as the roles he’s played.
In Glendale, where every day is a new scene, David Moskowitz is the star of his own show, bringing a touch of Brooklyn charm and Hollywood flair to his Californian journey. Stay tuned for more Mosky magic! -Written by Glendale Buzz
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Oh, heeeeeeell nooooo!
Ya know that popular meme which shows what success REALLY looks like – vis a vis what most people THINK success looks like – with all those squiggly lines and intertwining loops (imagine the most hideous roller coaster you’ve EVER seen) showing ups, downs, diagonal, back, sideways, etc. etc. etc.? Well, that’s also transpired to be the diagram of MY life’s roadmap to success!
What I’ve learned along the way in my 50+ years: You’ve gotta keep getting outside your comfort zone and try as much as you can to find out what you’re good at, find passion in, and what you truly enjoy.
Fail fast, fail often to rise to a higher level of success. I have ZERO fear of trying new things, potentially failing, or looking like a fool. ZERO! Because I know, from experience, THAT’S how you grow and ultimately become successful. Capiche? Ain’t easy. Takes courage. Try it!
The other key is to continually MOVE FORWARD – in good times and bad.
And that’s why, henceforth, it’s taken me 40 years to FINALLY “crack the code” on Acting, songwriting, comedy, filmmaking, and guitar playing. Looking in my rearview, I had to plow through the many stressful days and situations: sleepless nights; high-anxiety situations; ups and downs; promotions; layoffs; incremental raises; yearly dreaded performance reviews (in the radio biz); acquired a lot of money; lost a lot of money; friendships and relationships (short and long-term); breakups; heartaches; disappointments; and of course many victories.
Other MAJOR bumps in my life’s road:
Parents passed within four months of each other, on separate coasts, despite being divorced for 22 years.
Lost a LOT of money in the real estate collapse/Great Recession (December 2007-June 2009).
But ya know what? My view is: I’ve hit rock bottom SEVERAL times, so I can only go up from here! I try to focus on the good that’s happened in my life, not the struggles (albeit I DO relish how they’re, thankfully, behind me. (Whew!). And to primarily focus on how I can become better every.single.day!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My secret sauce: Life experience! Something you can’t buy and have to live through and experience – on your own!
Most proud of FINALLY – through continual trial and error, failures and successes – mastering and cracking the code on: Acting, songwriting, filmmaking, comedy, news biz, and guitar playing,
Other things I’m very proud of (in no particular order):
Getting my BA degree in production from USC’s prestigious School of Cinematic Arts (I’m STILL paying off my loan on that one! Lol!).
Produced Marconi winner (the Oscar of radio), legendary radio talk show host Preston Westmoreland, on news-talk KTAR in Phoenix for almost three years. The show was number one afternoon drive in Phoenix, and also won several Associated Press (AP) awards.
Played Santa Claus in Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy: Holiday Special” (I was actually born on Christmas ago I have a very special fondness for the holidays).
Production assistant to the concert promoter in Tucson, AZ, in the early 80s. Worked with R&B groups: Kool And The Gang, Zapp & Roger (Troutman), Ready for The World, Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, The Jets, The Gap Band, The Dazz Band, Shalamar, and The Commodores (sans Lionel Ritchie).
Acted 30+ music videos, including as a featured dancer in Justin Timberlake’s music video, “Can’t Stop The Feeling” which has garnered almost two billion –with a “b” — views!
Taught acting for many years – kids, teens and adults, beginners and advanced. Summer 2007: An agent – at the agency he was represented by in Scottsdale, AZ – looked at my extensive resume and thought I could be a fill-in for the main acting instructor. Teaching acting never entered my mind, but I thought he’d give it a try! So, I trained under the main acting instructor, started to really enjoy it, and discovered I was really good at it and found it highly rewarding
Wrote for Tucson Teen Magazine, for several years, in the early 80s. (Publisher Bob Zucker would later rename the publication, Entertainment Magazine). David wrote concert and album reviews, conducted interviews with musicians, and covered the Tucson music scene.
Took me 13 years and $1k to create my very own superhero costume (Pied Piper) that I wear while performing my original songs at LA-area open mics.
Tries to come up with a new song idea a day and has accumulated over 1,500 song ideas stored (in his voice memos) on his phone. He then ferrets out the musical nuggets he thinks are worth developing into a song.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out.
Life is trial & error.
Takes courage to get over the “suck.”
The harder I work, the luckier I get!
In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Do the universe a favor: Don’t hide your magic!
Unclutter your mind for great success.
The key is peace of mind.
Life begins when you get outside of your comfort zone. So, push yourself to get out of your comfort zone! You’ll see why. Thank me later!
If you want to eliminate stress in your life, you need to do less and get rid of certain (toxic) people.
Little by little leads to a lot.
You’re always gonna have stress. You just need to learn how to manage it.
We’re not born just to pay bills and die.
Your journey in life is NOT set in stone: You CAN change direction!
One of the key components that has helped me in life is to have mentors.
Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.
Only YOU can set yourself free.
Life will go faster than you know. It will be tempting to live a life that impresses others – but THIS is the wrong path. The right path is to know that life is short, every day is a gift, and you have certain gifts.
When you find that spark, keep on playing with fire and let it warm your heart.
It is never too late to be what you might have been.
Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.
Act boldly with minimal preparation.
Leave the audience wanting more.
Trust your enthusiasm and allow it to guide you.
If you want your life to change, you have to take different actions.
You will have a more fascinating and fulfilling life if you explore what intrigues you.
Small wins get your life in motion.
Pleasure before business.
Just have fun taking lots of little steps and enjoy the surprise of being led to unexpected places.
Focus on what you want instead of what you don’t want.
We are all operating on the delicate lie that we have plenty of time (read it again!).
If you get up early you can OWN Los Angeles!
Get blood tests at LEAST once every six months – they reveal a LOT about your health!
Take it one step at a time.
I feel like a billionaire inside, several times over, from my life experiences. Problem is, I don’t have the bank account show it!
Yes, I compare myself to others. How ELSE am I supposed to get ahead in life!?
Some people TALK a good game… but they JUST.don’t.have it.
When it come to my acting technique, it’s ALL about the FEELS vis a vis just reciting the lines.
Look at the source when some criticizes you. Usually, the criticizer is projecting onto YOU what they themselves are struggling with. The key is just to take is what you think is useful (in the criticism) and wait 24 hours before you respond (so you don’t have an emotional knee-jerk reaction you’ll later regret!).
Money ain’t everything, but it SURE buys a lot of freedom!
Balance is everything!
The key (to success) is one less thing to worry about.
Quality over quantity (something my mom would say occasionally).
Any step in the right direction is a step in the right direction!
You won’t know the GOOD unless you have the BAD!
A quote Jay Leno told me and another contestant during the break of the Fox Network game show, “You Bet Your Life,” was a game changer: “There are no mistakes.”
One of the hardest things in life is the realization that there’s going to be people who won’t like you.
Do it, then learn how.
Either chose for yourself or run the risk of others choosing for you.
-From the book, “It’s Never too late to be what you might have been: a guide to getting the life you live” by BJ Gallagher.
Primed for success!
Only takes one person to believe in you.
Good things come to those who hustle.
Try not to look in your rear-view mirror. Life’s too short.
You’ve gotta find the time when there is no time, and you’ve gotta find the money when there is no money.
Work begets work.
Therapy is the greatest invention!
Control your narrative, or others will!
Don’t be average!
Do the difficult, nose-to-the-grindstone work, and then everything else becomes easy.
The reason why “it’s lonely at the top” is because very few people have been in your shoes.
As my dad would always say, “Just worry about yourself.”
My dad would also frequently say, “Don’t get involved with other people,” referring to rude drivers. He’d say, “Let them go. Someone else will take care of them.” In my later years, I realized he was spot on!
Never be complacent!
Most people can’t operate on NOT knowing all the info before leaping into a project. But that’s what you need in order to be successful in this industry! And it’s typically not until I’m done with a project that I truly have a full and complete understanding about it!
It’s never easy. Never.
My good friend, Daryl “DC” Clark, once said to me at a Christmas party: By your 50s you should have mastered things. (Truth!).
My Dad would always say, “A borrower and a lender never be.”
If I could tell my younger self something it would be: Get ahead of things to clear the day’s slate for things that pop up out of
Cash is ALWAYS king, even during good times.
There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think of my parents.
If I could tell my younger self something: Save every dollar you can! You’re gonna need it down the road when the poop hits the fan to have more breathing room, freedom, options, and POWER.
Some people’s ego far outsize their talent(s).
You either click with people, or you don’t. (And I like to hang with people I click with. Life’s too short!).
You gotta be where the industry is.
Underpromise, over-deliver.
Some people have bad karma. You just need to recognize that and stay miles away from them!
There’s just people in this world that have no common sense. Accept it.
Only the bold do.
Stay away from losers. They’ll only bring you down.
99.97% of ideas suck!
What’s great about putting yourself OUT THERE is that you get feedback! You either use it to grow and enlighten you … or you don’t.
Life is strange outside your comfort zone.
Money = power
Life is messy.
When it comes to feedback, I look at patterns of three: If I get three very similar patterns of feedback, I know there’s something to it! Bottom line is: How does another human receive your work?
Can’t argue with nuts. (Reread)
Don’t let other people’s problems become your problems.
Leave the losers in the duuuust!
Watch out for know-it-alls.
The key to life is learning from other’s mistakes.
If you get outside your comfort zone, amazing things will happen! Try it sometime! You’re welcome!
Some people have it, and some people don’t.
Everybody thinks acting is easy. But do you think being a doctor, lawyer or firefighter is easy? It takes years of training.
I recommend to actors to make themselves more marketable: Go to a gun range, get a precision driving certificate, take martial arts classes and learn stunts.
You really don’t know somebody until you know somebody.
You need to earn my respect. It’s not based on your current career success; it’s based on your current character. And if it’s flawed, you have no credibility in my eyes.
There’s just people in this world that have no common sense. Accept it. Deal with it. Move on.
From my experience, if we’re not on the same page, it ain’t.gonna.work.
I can smell an amateur a mile away.
If you don’t understand where I’m coming from, that’s your problem!
Never ignore red flags. Do so at your peril.
Trial and error and error and error.
Sometimes, you have to lose yourself to find yourself.
The more money you have, the more rarefied air you have.
I’m not afraid to make mistakes and learn from them.
No amount of money is worth the stress.
You gotta know when you’re overloaded, and when to pull out.
As long as I’m alive, I’m in control.
If you get off on the wrong foot, try to get off on the right foot.
The true challenge of your character is how you handle a crisis.
The road to success is fraught with minefields.
Energy is everything.
Some people don’t have morals or ethics. Stand clear of them!
Momentum is everything.
Don’t let the losers get you down. Ever.
There’s balls, and there’s stupidity.
Yes, success is a MINDSET, but you’ve gotta be willing to put in the work!
My Kryptonite is being tired.
Note to self: I’m not at my best at 3 a.m.
You’ve got to have a mystique about you.
Want to be a good writer? Write simply, then embellish.
Hate to say it, but some friendships, no matter their duration, run their course. You just know.
Doesn’t matter if something you do DOESN’T make sense to another person. What matters is that it makes sense to YOU.
Some people have it, and some people don’t. And some people, unfortunately, never will.
Some people just don’t want to face reality, and you can’t change their perception. Don’t even try, it’s a waste of time. Let them fall on their face by themselves.
Like I always say, you either have it … or you don’t.
Always strive to be better than the previous day.
Success begets success.
It all boils down to ACUMEN: Whether or not someone has the MIND for something, not just the ability.
Was in radio for 15 years, and all I got was just lousy T-shirt.
Whenever you get unsolicited criticism, look at the source, look at the source, look at the source!
I need a vacation!
There’s nothing like the feeling of a breakthrough! Keep going until you hit it!
There’s a big difference between mediocre, good, and great. Choose which one you want to be. Hopefully, it’s the latter.
I look back and think, what was I ever worried about!?
Look at someone’s actions, not words, no matter how reassuring they sound.
Never take advice from unsuccessful people … UNLESS … it’s a nugget you think you need to work on, and it’s a pattern of three in terms of similar feedback.
Life has a way of balancing itself out.
Wasn’t until I got older that I realized CERTAIN longtime friends were highly narcissistic. I can handle SOME narcissism, but when it’s 100% on their end – I’m out!
Learn a new word a day. You’ll be amazed at your vocabulary in years to come. And your older self with thank you for it!
To be successful, you need to cultivate a support system.
A con man/woman will tell you what you want to hear because they can’t back anything up.
A gig is a gig.
There’s just some people that don’t get it. And never will. And you shouldn’t waste your time trying to get them to get it.
Age is really just a number. It’s not your biological age that matters, it’s how old do you feel inside?
The difference between success and failure of a project is marketing. Sadly, most filmmakers don’t factor in this essential ingredient and learn the hard way.
Navigating through day-to-day life is like navigating through sharks.
Doesn’t matter who is behind a production: If the concept sucks, the concept sucks!
Try to master the art of making a mistake, not LOOK like a mistake.
You won’t know a great (filmmaking) experience unless you have a bad (filmmaking) experience.
Sometimes, you have to take a wholly different approach to a person – or situation – than what would be considered “normal” or “standard.”
Sometimes, you just have to work with people you don’t like. That’s life and just the way it is. Deal with it.
I try to get over my mistakes as quickly as I can.
If you have bad chemistry with someone – oil and water, it’ll still be oil and water and bad chemistry in a different setting.
If you don’t click with somebody, you will NEVER click with them. Trust me on this from many years of life experience. You’re welcome!
Thank you, mom and dad, for my great work ethic and positivity!
Rule of thumb: The bigger the ego, the smaller the curriculum vitae.
I love how the people who rip me haven’t done Jack!
What most people suffer from is defective brain.
Some people just don’t know how to hustle and, unfortunately, never will.
There are just some people in the world that make you want to hold your close friends even closer.
If I can be half the humanitarian Jay Leno is, I’ll be a happy man.
Love deeply, even if there’s a chance of getting badly hurt. Multiple times. You want to live life to its fullest, right?
Life is about constantly tweaking things – constantly.
Visualize your success, it’s an amazing powerful tool. Try it sometime. Most champions DO.
Actors are narcissists to the core.
[On the acting biz] Don’t do anything that will cause friction to your acting career.
As you get older, you realize peace of mind is a premium!
Here’s an exercise in futility: Talk about yourself to a fellow actor and observe their could-care-less attitude, vis-a-vis someone outside the business.
Champions like to hang with other champions.
You gotta watch out for people who don’t react to you the way your friends would.
Success makes you hornier and hungrier.
I consider my closest friends exceptional people.
[Being on HBO’s “Winning Time” about the LA Lakers dynasty] Let me preface this by saying that every day being on the set of “Winning Time” is pure bliss, and I consider some crew and cast members I’ve gotten to know as family. Ok, that being said, my joke is: You have to pay me to be a Lakers fan, and even THEN, I have to think about it! Why? Because I’m a die-hard Phoenix Suns fan, having lived in Phoenix for 13 1/2 years, and we HATE the Lakers!
As my dad would always say, just worry about yourself!
Some friends you just need to keep at arm’s length.
Nobody understood people like my mother. That’s where I get that.
Know what? I’m really glad I was born the way I am with the parents that I had. Took me a while to feel this way, wishing I was someone else. Rule – ALWAYS: Be yourself!
There’s no better acting class than working on a sets.
Just be professional.
Self-reliance is NO reliance = power.
If you’re NOT accomplished, just STFU and listen … instead of talking all the time, acting like you know it all!
Look at the source. Look at the source. Look at the source!
You get to a point in your 50s where you don’t worry about shit anymore.
Context. Context. Context!
Success definitely comes in a price. Are you willing to pay it? Multiple times!?
Keep it simple, and don’t be stupid.
[Welcome to] Life in the big leagues.
I don’t try to change people, but I like to try to bring out different sides of people.
It’s all in the prep.
Some actors are just plain mashuga.
If you want respect, there’s no better way than making a lot of money.
If something doesn’t feel right, timing-wise, it’ll turn out not to be right, timing-wise. Trust me on this from experience.
Life is a continual learning curve.
Win some, learn some.
Judge someone on their actions, not their words.
My crack is TMZ.
Some people are just … strange (the way they react to things).
You might say I have some daddy issues.
I guess I’m the person I’ve always wanted to become.
My dad would occasionally say that our upbringings were “night and day” to remind me how good I have it. Yeah, like light years different! And in a good way!
I can take a hit, but I punch back. As hard. And even harder!
Extra (background) work is like doing jury duty: Do it for the betterment of our industry!
Looked good on paper.
Execution (of a concept) is everything.
Even (just) one ounce of humility goes a long way.
I was built for this industry. Some people gave it a try and found they weren’t. And that’s OK. And least they tried.
Sometimes, you just gotta say no.
You’ve got a look.
Know thy enemy.
I wanna strangle someone when they tell me they don’t HAVE to do background work because they have a full-time job. That just shows me they don’t have a passion for acting and the (entertainment) business.
Hardest part of being an actor is staying awake (due to long hours on little sleep).
I like to inspire the inspirers and help the helpers.
[On kid actors] Hey, parents, wait until your child’s teeth grow in. Aaaaaaall of them! Trust me, it’s NOT a cute look to have missing teeth – especially on a kid.
[Being on set] It’s all about stamina. You’ve gotta prep your mindset and body to last a 12–14-hour day. Like Darwinism, only the strong survive.
What a lot of actors don’t realize is that having stamina (maintaining energy throughout a long day) is a big part of being on set. So, make sure you get in your cardio (exercise), stay healthy, and are in relatively good shape.
[on acting] The key is to get on someone’s radar. Which means it’s NOT just about who YOU know, it’s about who knows YOU!
[Acting] Your job as an actor is one thing and one thing only: To make your character come to life.
A win is a win which leads to other wins.
As one background actor profoundly said to me on the set of HBO Max’s “Winning Time”: At the end of day, it’s just background work.
There are f*ckin’ sharks out there!
[On production] Some people just don’t have the wherewithal to pull something off, despite talking a good game and having a relatively good concept. As is always the case, ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS.
I don’t care who you talk to, or how many people you talk to, when they wrap – they wrap!
Stay away from the cold fishes.
Some people shouldn’t be on social media.
Want to be interesting person, then do interesting things.
Why don’t you shut the f*ck up, and maybe you can learn a few things from me?
Don’t chase agents; let them chase you.
[On getting better parts] You want great parts (that pay) better, then get a great agent! Better yet, keep pushing forward, keep working, and someday you’ll attract the attention of a great agent and get there. As someone said to me on a set last night, “There’s so much shit you have to do in order to make it.” Truer words were never spoken!
You’ve gotta get rid of any friction in your life to move forward.
A set is a set is a set is a set.
Don’t overthink things; just go with the flow.
Some people are just not very bright and don’t have common sense. They may get a little more insightful as they age, but that’s just the way it is, and you can’t change that.
Some people are just not as ambitious as you. It’ll drive you crazy, but it’s their life, and you just have to accept it.
Do great work or create it. Simple.
Thank God for teleprompters!
Some people are just creeps and don’t respond the way a normal person would. It’s frustrating, but that’s life, you need to accept that, and stay away from people like that.
Loose lips really DO sink ships.
I keep my expenses low, so if I have a bad month – no problem!
In my life experience, the more people you meet, the more special people you meet.
Rise above the noise.
I’d rather do my taxes than write lyrics.
Life is like tennis. Someone volleys the ball to you, then you smack it back with equal, greater, or lesser force – or simply smack it out of bounds.
There’s beauty, and there’s intellect. It’s truly rare when the intersection of the two meet. But when they do – it’s dynamite!
I’d rather get a root canal than write lyrics.
Why isn’t “high school” called “low school” since it’s a low point in your life?
A professional actor sells their emotions.
You can only count on what you can count on.
Your work speaks louder than your resume.
On a set, I know right away who to stay away from and who to hang out with.
You can’t count on it ’till you can count on it.
Everything I know about Indiana I learned from David Letterman.
Death has a big impact on one’s future.
Only when the shit hits the fan do people believe in God.
Comedy is real simple: Just do what makes another human laugh.
Only in the entertainment industry does someone think they can just jump in without any training (because they think it looks easy)… unlike most professions which take years of training and expense … like being a lawyer, doctor, cop, firefighter, teacher, or even a personal trainer.
God, life is short!
There’s a big problem with actors who have a great look but have a thick accent (e.g., from Ukraine, Bulgaria, France, Russia, Columbia, etc.). Not saying you can’t overcome that and become a successful actor (look at Schwarzenegger), but it’s a major hurdle (unless, of course, the part calls for an accent).
You can do anything you want in this world with money – or other people’s money!
Life is about improvising.
On my tombstone, I want “No stone unturned.”
It all comes down to who wants it more.
Pet peeve: Someone who doesn’t let you get a word in edgewise.
Gotta love it when someone says all they want to do is make films; that’s their life purpose, and they don’t care what anyone thinks … but only put in the bare minimum effort.
Once a sociopath, ALWAYS a sociopath (trust me, I know this from life experience).
The purpose of money is to get someone to do what you want. After that, it’s just a matter of how much money will it cost you to get that person to do that something you want or need. But in the end, it’s definitely a lot better than trading cows and horses!
Everything’s worth a shot.
The more people I meet, the more ENRICHED my life becomes.
The older I get, the more I realize what’s important and what’s NOT important.
Cheers to the people that know they need to improve and do something about it.
Money is my God. Money is my God. Money is my God. Not really – but it’s sure damn important!
Richard Pryor is the Muhammad Ali of stand-up comedy.
The higher you go, the more jealous people become. Just comes with the territory. Can you handle that?
My definition of success: Mastery … making money and being of service to others with that mastery.
As an actor, your currency is your emotions.
Wanna have an epiphany in anything you’re doing? Just imagine how somebody else can do it better. You’re welcome.
What the majority of actors don’t get is that you need to become a SPECIALIST (to be successful in the business).
You’ve got to become an acting SPECIALIST.
We’re just winging it in this life.
Learn a new word every day. You’ll be amazed at your vocabulary within a year.
When I was younger, I tried to be perfect. Now I try to embrace the awkward – much more fun!
[Advice to actors] All I gotta say is … the feels better come through that screen!
Never do anything half-assed.
One way to enrich your life is to read – or listen to the audiobook version – of inspirational, enlightening, and educational books. And it won’t cost you a cent if you use the library’s app! (I use Overdrive). You’re welcome!
Sometimes it pays to upgrade for that extra comfort. Spend the extra money – life’s too short.
Just spend your money on traveling and vacations if you want to enrich your life.
I’m all about success: What makes something successful and how to get there.
Like I always say, acting ISN’T for everyone. But I encourage everyone to give it a try to see if it IS. Acting BIZ is a LOT easier than it looks! And hosannas to those who are SUCCESSFUL at it!
Think of a world without Spielberg. I can’t either!
I judge people based on how they communicate with me.
Hindsight and experience are wonderful teachers.
[on acting] I like to experience a situation like one likes to experience a vacation.
When you look reality right in the eye, life becomes a lot easier.
Women love attention, so I’m going to give it to them in spades!
A sh*tty cup of coffee can set me off for the day.
Don’t hang with low-energy people.
If someone LOOKS depressed all the time, and ACTS depressed all the time – stay the hell away from them! They’ll only bring you down. (I know it’s politically incorrect to say that, and it comes off highly insensitive, but don’t let THEIR mental illness become YOUR mental illness!).
I’m a nice guy UNTIL you delay my payment or DON’T pay me.
Some people have a cloud hanging over them. Like all the time! It’s part of their aura. Stay far away from them!
I don’t waste my time with people who don’t get my sense of humor.
Sometimes, you just don’t push it.
It ain’t easy being me.
If I could give my younger self advice, it would be that power is everything. And that money is power. And the more money you have, the more power, freedom, and decision-making you’ll have. All rich people inherently know this. So, try to save as much as you can so your future self will thank you immensely!
Stay far away from the nut jobs!
I’ve got a doctorate degree in life.
I know I’m doing something right if I make other actors jealous.
Everybody has a story.
Ever notice it’s rare another actor will congratulate you (on a booking, show, ratings, awards, etc.)?
I know I’m doing something right if other comedians are jealous of me.
Unwritten rule of comics: Don’t laugh at another comic’s jokes.
Don’t believe the hype – EVER!
You either click with somebody – or you don’t. Bottom line. No ands, ifs, or buts.
There are some people that are just not built for the industry that can’t handle inconvenient and imperfect situations.
The best acting coach is being on a set as much as possible and cutting self-tapes every day.
When you’re young, you don’t realize it, but life really does go fast – like a blink in the eye.
You are who you hang out with.
Man, those game show people (contestants, producers, and production) are a different beast!
If you’re an actor, you’ve gotta look at the cast and crew as a team and the director as a quarterback.
[Re: his acting performances] I love it when someone says, “You sold it!”
Mystique. Mystique. Mystique!
All I can say is, if you wanna do it, you gotta do it.
Life is about improvising. There’s no such thing as a perfect situation; you just have to figure out how to make it work.
Small steps lead to big steps.
Acting is about BEING, not acting.
Little wins are just as important as the big wins.
Aspire to be a foreground actor not a background actor.
How do you expect someone to see your work if you don’t have a reel?
It’s all in the nuances, baby!
Wanna see my Eddie Murphy impersonation on the set of Candy Cane Lane?
There are some people in this world who just can’t give a compliment.
My secret sauce is life experience.
The difficult people I’ve worked with don’t go very far in the long run, I’ve noticed.
Blows my mind people who want to get in this industry don’t know basic filmic terminology.
Most people are better-looking than their acting.
The audience is always right.
Too much of a good thing – is NOT a good thing.
Your job as an actor is to make the character come to life authentically.
[On a high level of acting] The key is to make everyone around you look better by inspiring them to up their (acting) game.
What’s great about (life) experience is that you can minimize mistakes and (potential) failures.
[Being a successful talk radio host] Listen to your listeners.
It all boils down to (human) psychology.
Just get it done.
Hey, younger self: Prices always go up! So, save your money!
Every day do one thing for your (acting/film) career. Even BETTER if you can two – or even THREE things’ things! Imagine where you’ll be in a year from now!
Money makes the film industry go round.
God bless Dolly Parton.
You can’t be good. You can’t be great. You’ve gotta be super sensational!
Bottom line: Make.it.HAPPEN!
Quality takes time (Duh!).
It’s all about COMBINATIONS: Combinations of people that comprise making an award-winning film, song, or championship sports team.
Never ceases to amaze me how frequent someone’s ego – or egos – gets in the way of making a project better.
If you can’t handle stress and dealing with difficult people, you don’t belong in the industry.
Exposure. Exposure. Exposure. That’s the name of the game.
I have a low tolerance for bullshit and timewasters.
Something is better than nothing.
[On filmmaking] It’s easy to write and make a film. The hard part is crossing the finish line!
[On acting] Just be good, not just good-looking.
Will act for food.
One word to summarize people in Los Angeles: Pococurante (look it up if you don’t know what it means).
When I go to the supermarket, sometimes I buy kid’s food. Why should they have all the fun? Mac & cheese with cheeseburger bits – I’m in!
[Entertainment industry] Competition is so fierce that there’s always somebody willing to do your job for less (money). So be grateful, don’t complain – depending on the job and situation, of course – and enjoy the ride!
Some people just don’t have the acumen to be entrepreneurs and business owners.
There are some things that can’t be taught. You just have to do them (to learn).
Make the day count!
My goal in life is to be number one on the call sheet. I kid! Ok, maybe number 2 or 3, but not BELOW that!
Pet peeve: People who don’t sound enthusiastic and lack energy when I call (them).
When it’s slow (in the entertainment business) – do theater!
If you’re not pissing someone off, you’re NOT doing something right.
The problem with getting into it with somebody on social media or in a traffic situation is that you are fostering a connection with a person that you REALLY and TRULY do not want to have a connection with. Better to just ignore them and move on with your life. Life’s too short!
Farting on cue is more impressive than crying on cue- anyone can do the latter!
Sometimes, you just have to reinvent yourself.
If you can’t beat ’em … join ’em! If (Hollywood) studios and producers are shipping productions to Europe – to avoid production shutdowns due to strikes and to save on costs – then dust off your passport and consider moving to Europe or staying there for long stretches (of time). The harsh reality is (in 2024) Hollywood is being gradually shipped overseas before our very eye, so if you want to be in the (film/tv/streaming) business, you need to go where the work is.
There are some comedians that have several writers and are STILL not funny. (Won’t mention any names! lol!).
Money is everything… but sometimes it’s NOT everything.
If you want to feel younger, hang/work/live with younger people (than yourself).
You only have so much energy. Where do you wanna put it?
Stand-in is stand-in work. Acting is acting.
Deferred pay = no pay
If you ain’t got your health, you ain’t got nuffin’!
A job is a job, and money is money.
If being successful in the entertainment industry were easy, everybody would be doing it.
Some people ARE the frequency. Some people are TRYING to be the frequency. And some people are on a DIFFERENT frequency. Nothing wrong with that – just know the difference and make a choice.
Let your work speak for itself, and the awards will find you.
It depends.
I value talent and creativity over money and material things.
[Re: the 2024 industry contraction]: It’s the new normal. Adapt or perish. Darwinism in full effect (only the strong and best-qualified survive in a competitive environment).
If you want to be a billionaire, you need to have the strut of a billionaire.
Life really IS what you make it. So, make it GREAT. And INTERESTING.
[On an actor’s life in Hollywood] Get used to the awkward.
A dream does not have an expiration date. -Katherine Norland, veteran actress
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dmoskowit3.wixsite.com/mysite-1
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/david.moskowitz?igshid=ZjE2NGZiNDQ=
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/mosky/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-moskowitz-aa72494/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Mosky2112?lang=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/2kosher/videos?view_as=subscriber
- Other: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0608781/?ref_=nv_sr_50
